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Theo Lencicki has performed across the United States and in South America and Japan as a professional actor, but the West Scranton native said it was his time in the Arts Alive program that truly changed his life.

Now, the annual visual and performing arts institute is undergoing some major transformations of its own, with the announcement of new venues, artistic partnerships and rebranding under Arts in Education Northeastern Pennsylvania during a news conference at Marywood University on Friday.

"(Arts Alive) allowed me to explore myself creatively and find my true passion," Mr. Lencicki told the crowd of artists, educators and alumni gathered to hear about the changes to the annual institute. "It made me develop a sense of self and character."

The intensive visual and performing arts educational initiative was founded 22 years ago, and this year ended its residency at Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple. The program will be conducted at a trio of local cultural hot spots, including Ballet Theatre of Scranton, Marywood University and Everhart Museum, each of which has worked with Arts Alive in the past.

A new website will allow prospective students to apply online and find a platform with information, photo sharing and a faculty directory.

"We're really delighted to have such fabulous partnerships," said Arts Alive Director Catherine Richmond-Cullen, Ed.D., who also is regional director of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state sponsor of the program, and a board member of the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit, which supports the summer program, too.

"The venues are amazingly important," Dr. Richmond-Cullen added, "but the quality of faculty is what really sets us apart. Youngsters that come to our program are blessed because they're working with top professionals in their fields."

The changes came about in an effort to function more efficiently and appear more modern, Dr. Richmond-Cullen said, and will give the overall program a boost.

As a testament to the talent that the program fosters, numerous Arts Alive graduates returned to town to perform a few songs from "Les Miserables" for the audience at the news conference.

Arts Alive is scheduled to run July 7 through 30, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is open to students in grades two though 12. For information and registration, visit www.aienepa.org.

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